The 2025 MLB season is one-third of the way complete, and the halfway point is quickly approaching. This is the point in the season that fans can usually see who the contenders are and who the pretenders are. Of course, when it comes to the Boston Red Sox, a team mired in .500 baseball, it's too hard to tell what the outcome of this season will be.
Despite a recent run of sub-par performances, there have been things to be optimistic about with this squad. Optimism is great, but when performances don't back it up, it's hard to stay that way for long. As the season reaches June 1, a time when wheeling and dealing starts to ramp up, Craig Breslow needs to decide if he's going to wheel or deal. Here are three reasons for each side.
3 reasons the Red Sox should be buyers at the trade deadline
This team was built to win this season
During this offseason, Breslow made win-now moves. He signed Alex Bregman to what essentially amounts to three consecutive one-year contracts at $40 million a year. He can leave at the end of the season if he chooses, and if this team sells, it will be ringless. Walker Buehler was also signed to a one-year deal. Though a prove-it contract for Buehler, his playoff pedigree was supposed to be extremely helpful to a team that didn't have much, if any. Besides them, other players are getting ever closer to hitting free agency. This season's roster was supposed to open the championship window, not push it down the road.
There are minimal holes needed to fill
The way they have played of late may say differently, but if you look at the actual construction of the roster, they probably only need two or three holes filled. The one definite need is first base, it has been since Triston Casas went down, and every non-first baseman they play there is just a band-aid until they acquire a real one. Adding higher-quality bullpen pieces will likely be at the forefront should they buy.
Finally, the Sox could potentially add a starter. When everyone is healthy, they have plenty, but that never happens, plus the Red Sox starters this year have been inconsistent at times (except Crochet). Every other position on the roster has a starter and a clear, quality backup.
The American League is weak
Closing in on June 1, six teams are within five games of a Wild Card spot. That means just three of the 15 teams in the AL are likely not contenders at this point. To add to that, four of those teams are currently under .500 (including the Sox). Obviously, as the season plays out, this will shake out and the teams will separate, but all it takes is a quick winning streak or a 10-game stretch where they win seven games, and they will be solidly in the playoff picture. They aren't out of it yet, and probably won't be for a while (whether they buy or sell).
3 reasons the Red Sox should be sellers at the trade deadline
Create room for the rookies
The construction of the roster has been heavily criticized. Breslow knew he had three rookies pounding down the door to the majors, and made no clear pathway for two of the three. Now, this team has underdelivered compared to their preseason expectations. Whether they start to fall off more and get farther from the playoff picture, or stay around .500, they need to find consistent playing time for Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell. If this becomes a season just focused on development, that's ok, just to know that going into next season their future stars have major league experience under their belts.
Take the pressure off the young players
This one coincides with the one before it. The season was built up by fans and media as the Red Sox's return to the postseason, but at least up to this point, it hasn't shaped up that way. Mayer and Anthony are being thought of as saviors of the season. That's a lot of pressure for rookies, especially rookies as highly touted as they are, who already have pressure to perform. By selling, Boston takes the pressure of making the playoffs off of everybody, but especially the young players.
Get under the luxury tax
This one may seem weird, but does make some sense. John Henry has shown in recent years he doesn't like going over the luxury tax. He did it this year with hopes the team could make a deep postseason run. If the season continues down the current path and they miss the postseason, he'll be unhappy with his investment and less likely to go over the tax in future seasons. According to Spotrac.com, the Red Sox are only over the tax by $6.5 million. It wouldn't be hard to get under that number, and at least keep Henry happy he isn't paying an extra tax. By getting under, it would show him that it's possible to spend on the team in the offseason, and still get under the tax if they are underperforming in future seasons.